West Ham are waking up to the pain of a £70m fumble of epic proportions that is very much to Man City’s gain.
The summer of 2023 will be remembered in West Ham and Man City circles for differing reasons that are very much inter-connected.
Manchester City very much wanted to sign Declan Rice from West Ham but missed out when he chose Arsenal for his £105m move.
The same summer Man City were also progressing with an £85m move for Lucas Paqueta until the spot-fixing allegations against him reared their head.
West Ham missed out on Man City’s millions before being robbed of £70m talent
That investigation scuppered the Brazilian leaving the London Stadium for the Etihad.
But another midfield star did leave West Ham for Man City that summer – and it has largely gone completely under the radar since.
Until now.
West Ham and Manchester City historically enjoy very good relations on and off the pitch but it could be strained to its limits by a daylight robbery carried out that summer.
The friendship between the clubs can be charted back to a famous game between the Hammers and Man City in 1987.
Divine Mukasa celebrates after scoring for Manchester City v Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the UEFA Youth League
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
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But privately West Ham are still miffed about Man City snatching away their highly-rated young gem Divine Mukasa.
The Hammers always knew the England youth attacking midfielder possessed all of the raw ingredients needed to go on and become a real star in the game.
Mukasa was not even 16 when he decided to leave West Ham for Man City.
West Ham pain is Man City’s gain with Mukasa on brink
But he showed he was a special talent when starring for West Ham’s Under 18s.
Mukasa leaving for Manchester City continued a worrying trend whereby the self-styled Academy of Football’s most talented young players seem to feel it’s in their best interest to move on.
Mukasa’s departure has been largely forgotten back in east London.
However, it looks almost certain to be the one that stings most.
Which player were you most disappointed to see West Ham sell?
West Ham have lost plenty of promising young players over the past few years including the likes of Jeremy Ngakia, Harrison Ashby, Sonny Perkins, Aji Alese, Jamal Baptiste, Ayden Heaven, Divin Mubama and Mukasa to name just a few.
They rarely go on to leave the Hammers red faced.
But Mukasa looks almost certain to change that.
Just a week after he registered two goals and two assists in one game for England U19s, former Hammer Mukasa scored a hat-trick for Man City U19s yesterday.
Divine Mukasa in action for Man City vs Watford in The FA Youth Cup
Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images
Mukasa could be £70m one who got away for Hammers
The young midfielder scored three goals in City’s 6-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. It was his first game back since the international break.
Pep Guardiola reportedly views Mukasa as one of Man City’s most promising young talents.
That has been reflected by the fact Mukasa has been increasingly involved with the first-team over recent months.
West Ham can only watch on through their fingers and with gritted teeth as Mukasa has been edging closer to stardom with the Cityzens.
The midfield dynamo has been on the bench in the Premier League and Champions League multiple times this season and has even made two senior appearances in the Carabao Cup.
It is one thing selling a top talent like Rice for good money.
But Mukasa looks set to be the latest one who got away for the Hammers.
Players of his ilk and position go for £70m in the modern market.
West Ham have nothing to show for developing such an elite talent.
That is why it is so crucial the Hammers show young players there is a genuine path to the first team.
Because a club like West Ham should be building their side around these young talents, not losing them for nothing to clubs who can afford to pay top dollar for proven talent.
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